Loops in Java: For, While, and Do-While Explained
Introduction to Loops
Loops in Java are control flow structures that allow you to repeatedly execute a block of code. They are used when
you need to perform an operation multiple times. Java supports three main types of loops: for,
while, and do-while loops.
For Loop
The for
loop is used when you know the number of iterations in advance. It consists of an
initialization, a condition, and an increment/decrement statement. Here's an example:
for (int i = 1; i <= 5; i++) {
System.out.println("Iteration " + i);
}
While Loop
The while
loop is used when you don't know the number of iterations in advance but have a condition
that determines when to stop. Here's an example:
int count = 1;
while (count <= 5) {
System.out.println("Iteration " + count);
count++;
}
Do-While Loop
The do-while
loop is similar to the while
loop, but it always executes the code block at
least once since the condition is checked after the block is executed. Here's an example:
int num = 1;
do {
System.out.println("Iteration " + num);
num++;
} while (num <= 5);
Loop Control Statements
Java also provides loop control statements like break
and continue
to control the flow
of loops. These statements can be used to exit a loop prematurely or skip a specific iteration.
Conclusion
Loops are fundamental in Java programming, enabling you to efficiently repeat tasks and process data. Understanding
when to use each type of loop and how to control them is crucial for building robust and flexible applications.